"I did a lot of work last year, I did extension English one and two and I think I would bomb out if I went straight to university," Emily said.

After graduating from Tomaree High School Emily gained a place at Newcastle University in the Bachelor of Arts program which she plans to defer until 2011.

Since going to America in January last year Emily said she has had the travel bug and plans to spend half the year working to save money for a six-month trip to Spain.

"I looked at defence force gap years and other things but this will give me the freedom to do what I couldn't do last year," she said.

"I love to travel, I love being a tourist and it will be good life experience to mature a bit."

Emily will also spend the year researching her career path with the hope of joining the federal police.